Electoral fraud

Electoral fraud or vote rigging is illegal interference with the process of an election. Acts of fraud affect vote counts to bring about an election result, whether by increasing the vote share of the favored candidate, depressing the vote share of the rival candidates, or both. What constitutes electoral fraud under law varies from country to country.

Many kinds of election fraud are outlawed in electoral legislation, but others are in violation of general laws, such as those banning assault, harassment or libel. Although technically the term 'electoral fraud' covers only those acts which are illegal, the term is sometimes used to describe acts which are legal but nevertheless considered morally unacceptable, outside the spirit of electoral laws, or in violation of the principles of democracy.Show elections, in which only one candidate can win, are sometimes considered to be electoral fraud, although they may comply with the law.

In national elections, successful electoral fraud can have the effect of a coup d'état or corruption of democracy. In a narrow election a small amount of fraud may be enough to change the result. Even if the outcome is not affected, fraud can still have a damaging effect if not punished, as it can reduce voters' confidence in democracy. Even the perception of fraud can be damaging as it makes people less inclined to accept election results. Fraudulent elections can lead to the breakdown of democracy and the establishment or ratification of a dictatorship.

Electoral fraud

Electoral fraud or vote rigging is illegal interference with the process of an election. Acts of fraud affect vote counts to bring about an election result, whether by increasing the vote share of the favored candidate, depressing the vote share of the rival candidates, or both. What constitutes electoral fraud under law varies from country to country.

Many kinds of election fraud are outlawed in electoral legislation, but others are in violation of general laws, such as those banning assault, harassment or libel. Although technically the term 'electoral fraud' covers only those acts which are illegal, the term is sometimes used to describe acts which are legal but nevertheless considered morally unacceptable, outside the spirit of electoral laws, or in violation of the principles of democracy.Show elections, in which only one candidate can win, are sometimes considered to be electoral fraud, although they may comply with the law.

In national elections, successful electoral fraud can have the effect of a coup d'état or corruption of democracy. In a narrow election a small amount of fraud may be enough to change the result. Even if the outcome is not affected, fraud can still have a damaging effect if not punished, as it can reduce voters' confidence in democracy. Even the perception of fraud can be damaging as it makes people less inclined to accept election results. Fraudulent elections can lead to the breakdown of democracy and the establishment or ratification of a dictatorship.

More than 20,000 paramilitary guards have been deployed across Bangladesh to provide security ahead of the general election on December 30, The Bangladesh Chronicle has reported ... The BNP boycotted the last election in 2014, claiming it was rigged by the Awami League....

The party proved the exit polls wrong and gave its best performance in an Assemblyelection since it lost the Lok Sabhaelection in 2014 ...Punia, Congress general secretary in-charge of Chhattisgarh, raised red flags over corruption, rigging of EVMs, booth-capturing and bogus voting by the BJP during the elections....

presidential election, ongoing economic and military threats ... they are genetically corrupt, backward, and dysfunctional, unable to maintain a vital economy, yet are simultaneously global “puppet-masters” (John Brennan’s words) capable of rigging the outcome of a distant and high-tech Americanelection....

“No doubt the intended come back is already marred in incompetent attempts to rig the internal elections in his favour, arguably sparking the greatest public show of internal dissent in party leadership since the formation of the NDC,” the statement read....

“No doubt the intended come back is already marred in incompetent attempts to rig the internal elections in his favour, arguably sparking the greatest public show of internal dissent in party leadership since the formation of the NDC,” the NPP said....

... general election ... The BNP boycotted the 2014 national election, also marred by widespread violence, claiming that it was rigged by Hasina´s party ... The BNP boycotted the 2014 national election, also marred by widespread violence, claiming that it was rigged by Hasina´s party....

The protests appeared to have been triggered by delays in releasing the results of the presidential poll amid fears of rigging. Mnangagwa won the election but his main rival, Nelson Chamisa, leader of the opposition MDC, did not concede defeat saying the election was rigged....

More than 20,000Bangladesh paramilitary guards were deployed across the country Tuesday amid mounting deadly violence ahead of a December 30 general election... The BNP boycotted the 2014 national election, also marred by widespread violence, claiming that it was rigged by Hasina's party....

— The midterm elections were, to an important extent, a ... When Democrats threaten to win elections, they rig the voting process, as they did in Georgia. When Democrats win despite electionrigging, they strip the offices Democrats win of power, as they did in Wisconsin....

Soon after July 25 elections, Maulana proposed that Opposition MNAs should not take oath on the pretext that elections were rigged, but both the PPP and the PML-N opposed the move ... oath on the pretext that elections were rigged, but both the PPP and the PML-N opposed the move....

He added that an opposition candidate on the verge of winning an election was strangely charged with examination malpractice and his win was overturned ... The PDP flagbearer also stated that the president has refused to sign the amended Electoral Act knowing that the Act would prevent the government from rigging the elections....